The Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–1937)

Fascist Italy's Invasion of Abyssinia and the Atrocities Carried Out There

Introduction

The Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–1937) stands as a stark example of colonial aggression and state-sponsored brutality in the 20th century. Driven by Benito Mussolini’s imperial ambitions, Fascist Italy sought to avenge its humiliating defeat at the Battle of Adwa (1896) and establish dominance in East Africa. The invasion of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) was marked by unprecedented use of chemical weapons, systematic massacres, and the deliberate targeting of civilians, revealing the barbarity underpinning Mussolini’s vision of a "New Roman Empire." This essay examines the historical context, military campaign, atrocities, international response, and legacy of one of the most devastating conflicts of the interwar period.

Historical Context: From Adwa to Fascism

Italy’s defeat at Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces under Emperor Menelik II repelled Italian invaders, remained a national humiliation. For Mussolini, who seized power in 1922, Ethiopia symbolized both unfinished colonial business and an opportunity to distract Italians from domestic economic woes. The Fascist regime glorified imperialism as a path to national rejuvenation, framing Ethiopia as a "primitive" land ripe for "civilization." Diplomatic tensions escalated in 1934 with the Walwal incident—a skirmish in Ogaden used by Italy to justify aggression. Despite Ethiopia’s appeals to the League of Nations, Mussolini prepared for a full-scale invasion, exploiting Europe’s preoccupation with Hitler’s rise.

The Road to War: Italian Preparations and Diplomacy

Mussolini orchestrated a massive military buildup, deploying 500,000 troops, modern aircraft, and tanks to Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. Marshal Emilio De Bono initially led the campaign, but after slow progress, he was replaced by Pietro Badoglio, who embraced ruthless tactics. Italy secured tacit support from France and Britain through the Hoare-Laval Pact (1935), which proposed partitioning Ethiopia—a betrayal of the League’s principles. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, under Emperor Haile Selassie, mobilized a poorly equipped but determined army of 500,000, relying on traditional weapons and foreign sympathy.

The Invasion: Military Campaign and Key Battles

On October 3, 1935, Italian forces crossed the Mareb River, bombing Adwa and Adigrat. The northern front, led by Badoglio, saw fierce resistance at Amba Aradam (February 1936), where Italian artillery and mustard gas overwhelmed Ethiopian positions. In the south, Rodolfo Graziani advanced from Somaliland, employing air raids to terrorize civilians. The decisive Battle of Maychew (March 1936) marked Ethiopia’s collapse; Selassie fled into exile, and Italy declared victory on May 5. However, guerrilla resistance persisted, prompting brutal reprisals.

Atrocities and War Crimes

Chemical Warfare

Italy’s use of mustard gas violated the 1925 Geneva Protocol. Over 300 tons were deployed, sprayed from aircraft or dropped in bombs. At the Battle of Shire, gas caused mass suffocation and blindness. Hospitals and Red Cross units were deliberately targeted; a Swedish nurse recounted, "The air reeked of garlic... bodies blistered and rotting." Italy denied these actions, falsifying records and restricting journalists.

Massacres and Reprisals

The February 1937 Yekatit 12 massacre followed an attempt on Graziani’s life. Over three days, 30,000 Ethiopians in Addis Ababa were executed, including intellectuals and monks. Graziani ordered, "Destroy all Ethiopians for three days... kill everyone you meet." Villages suspected of harboring rebels were razed, with inhabitants machine-gunned or burned alive.

Concentration Camps

Camps like Danane (Somalia) imprisoned 6,000 Ethiopians, where torture, disease, and starvation killed half. Survivors described forced labor and executions. Women faced sexual violence; one victim recalled, "They took us at night... we were like animals."

Cultural Destruction

Italy looted religious artifacts, including the Obelisk of Axum, and desecrated churches. The aim was to erase Ethiopian identity, replacing it with Fascist iconography.

International Response and Consequences

The League of Nations condemned Italy but imposed ineffective sanctions, excluding oil. The Hoare-Laval Pact exposed Anglo-French complicity, emboldening Hitler and Mussolini. Haile Selassie’s poignant League speech—"It is us today. It will be you tomorrow"—fell on deaf ears. The invasion normalized chemical warfare and signaled the League’s impotence, paving the way for WWII.

Occupation, Resistance, and Liberation

Italy merged Ethiopia with Eritrea and Somaliland into Italian East Africa (1936). Apartheid-like laws segregated Italians from Ethiopians, while forced labor built infrastructure. The Arbegnoch (patriots) waged guerrilla warfare, sabotaging supply lines. In 1941, British and Ethiopian forces liberated the country during the East African Campaign, restoring Selassie’s throne.

Legacy and Historical Memory

Ethiopia’s resistance became a symbol of anti-colonialism, inspiring Pan-African movements. Italy’s crimes were long minimized domestically until historians like Angelo Del Boca uncovered the truth. The war’s legacy includes ongoing demands for reparations and the repatriation of stolen artifacts.

Conclusion

The invasion of Abyssinia epitomized Fascist brutality and the failure of international collective security. It exposed the horrors of colonial racism and chemical warfare, leaving deep scars on Ethiopia. For Italy, the war was a Pyrrhic victory, tarnishing its moral standing and hastening its WWII downfall. Remembering these atrocities underscores the dangers of unchecked nationalism and the enduring fight for justice.